SB 140 Summary

• Creates the Oklahoma Bottle Recycling Act to reduce beverage container litter by establishing a deposit-refund system requiring deposits of at least five cents on returnable beverage containers.

• Requires beverages sold in Oklahoma to be in returnable containers marked with "Oklahoma" and the refund value; prohibits certain problematic container types including detachable-tab metal cans and non-recyclable plastic multi-pack connectors.

• Establishes redemption centers where consumers can return containers for refunds and requires dealers to accept empty containers; dealers and redemption centers receive at least 20% reimbursement above refund amounts from manufacturers/distributors.

• Creates the Oklahoma Bottle Recycling Deposit Fund administered by the Tax Commission to collect deposits and reimburse participants, with unclaimed deposits available for legislative appropriation.

• Authorizes the Board of Environmental Quality and Oklahoma Tax Commission to promulgate rules for implementation; establishes civil penalties of $250-$1,000 per violation enforced by the Department of Environmental Quality; effective November 1, 2011.